The second phase of the Biswa Ijtema concluded on Wednesday with thousands of devotees participating in the Akheri Munajat, a special prayer service held on the banks of the Turag River in Gazipur’s Tongi, marking the end of one of the largest Muslim gatherings in the world.
Followers of Maulana Zubair Ahmed, known as Tabligh Jamaat’s “Shura-e-Nezam,” took part in this phase. Maulana Zubair led the Akheri Munajat for his followers, with prayers for unity, peace, and the welfare of Muslims worldwide.
The Munajat began after 12 pm and lasted for 20 minutes. Devotees prayed for enlightenment, unity, peace, and salvation for Muslims in this life and the afterlife, seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for their sins.
The day started with Maulana Abdur Rahman from India delivering the first sermon at 9 am, followed by Indian preacher Ibrahim Dewla.
As the day progressed, the number of participants surged. People from surrounding neighborhoods headed to the Ijtema grounds after the Fajr prayer, and many walked long distances, with some covering up to 10 km from Bhogra Bypass to the Ijtema grounds, as the crowd caused traffic congestion. The area was packed to capacity before the Munajat started.
The Ijtema grounds, as well as nearby lanes, rooftops of houses and offices, roads, and even boats on the Turag River, were filled with participants. Women also joined the Munajat from nearby rooftops, and hundreds of foreign guests from Tablighi Jamaat units abroad attended this phase of the Ijtema.
The second segment of the first phase of Biswa Ijtema began on January 31 and ended on Sunday, with the Zubair faction holding their Ijtema in two parts. The next phase of the Ijtema, organized by supporters of Indian preacher Saad Kandhlawi, will take place from February 14 to 16.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan said that 11 special trains and additional buses had been arranged to transport participants. Despite the special transportation, seven people have died during the Ijtema event, mostly due to old age and health complications.
